Folding machine



June 1965 R. L. SJOSTROM 3,190,640

FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed May 24, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.Poem Z. -SJBSTR5M June 22, 1965 R- SJOSTROM 3,190,640

FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed May 24, 1963 5 She ts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.Foss/er L 51651-20114 United States Patent 0 m t a $5,196,649 FEDLDTNGMAQHRNE Robert L. Sjostrom, Boca Raton, Fla, assignor to SgostrornAutoinations, inc, lioca Raton, Fla, a corporation of FloridaContinuation of application Ser. No. 2%,096, May 24, 1963. Thisapplication June l, 1964, er. No. 374,873 13 Qlaims. (til. Mil-d6) Thisis a continuation of application Serial No. 283,096 filed May 24, 1963by applicant for an invention entitled Folding Machine, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a machine for folding successivelydelivered sheets.

In several industries, particularly the linen supply and laundryindustries, there is a need for an improved machine that will accuratelyand elliciently fold sheets supplied to it in quick succession. In thelinen supply industry for example, it is customary to separately laundersimilarly sized articles such as napkins and towels. These articles arethen fed successively by an operator to an ironer. After they aredelivered from the ironer it is necessary to fold them and stack themfor subsequent handling. While some attempts have been made to provide amachine that will receive and fold towels delivered from an ironer, suchmachines have been relatively expensive, subject to frequent andexpensive maintenance and repair and incapable of accurately foldingarticles as napkins and towels. In addition these machines are oftenincapable of receiving and folding articles at the rate at which theyare delivered from the ironer machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine forfolding flexible articles and preferably textile articles such asnapkins and towels efficiently and accurately. It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive, but efficientand rugged machine for folding flexible articles, which requires littlemaintenance or attendance during operation. A further object of thisinvention is to provide a folding machine particularly useful inconnection with laundry and linen supply operations, which is adapted tofold and uniformly stack flat flexible articles successively deliveredto it. One further object of this invention is to provide a machinewhich is adapted to quarter fold rectangular articles such as napkinsand towels, and thereafter form successive stacks of preselectednumbers.

This invention is primarily a mechanical device that has a minimumnumber of electrical components and may be made without the use ofvacuum or photo tubes, transistors or complex electronic circuitry.

In this invention there is provided means for folding flexible sheets orarticles such as towels or napkins. A pair of conveyor means, preferablyrolls carrying endless belts are arranged with each conveyor means lyingin horizontal planes and extending angularly to each other. Theseconveyor means are adapted to move the sheets successively in twodirections, one normal to the other. A folding means preferablycomprising a pair of parallel nip rolls is positioned with the axis ofthe rolls longitudinally with respect to the direction of movement ofthe first conveyor means. This first folding means is adapted to engageand fold an article carried on the first conveyor means preferably alonga line longitudinal with respect to the direction of movement of thearticle. A second folding means is positioned directly beneath thesecond conveyor means and is adapted to receive the once folded articleas it is carried on the second conveyor means and effect a second foldalong a line angular to the first fold in the article. Means are alsoprovided for stacking successively folded articles into accurate andeven stacks of preselected numbers.

ddllldfi id Patented June 22, 1%65 These and other objects andadvantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

MG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating certain rollers andthe drive mechanism therefor;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating portions of thevarious conveyor means;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view illustrating the method andsequence of folding;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of portions of the deliverymechanism;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the actuatingmechanism, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective fragmentary View of a modification of theinvention.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated is designed primarily forquarter folding textile articles such as towels and napkins and isparticularly useful in the linen supply industry for receiving ironedarticles delivered from commercial ironers. The principles of thisinvention may however be embodied in machines useful for other purposesand in other industries, wherever it is desirable to fold successivelyflexible sheet materials.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is provided a machine having a frame whichincludes side panels l and 2, and various vertically, transversely andlongitudinally extending frames or beams 3 suitably secured together andlocated to support various elements hereinafter described. Articles aresuccessively placed by an operator in flat form as illustrated in FIG. 1at the receiving or rear end 5 of the machine and after successivefoldings preferably into quarter folded form are delivered in stacks 6at the delivery or forward end 7 of the machine.

The construction of the machine will be best understood from apreliminary consideration of the foldin sequence effected on articles 4passing through it. The folding sequence is illustrated in FIG. 4. Anarticle 4 fed into the rear end 5 moves forwardly in the direction ofarrow 3. At a preselected position 9 the article is forced downwardly inthe direction of arrows iii along a line If longitudinal of thedirection of forward movement illustrated by arrow 8. This effects afirst fold in the article 4. The article is then carried laterally anddownwardly of the machine in the direction of arrow 12 with the line orfolded edge 11 foremost. The once folded article i is then redireeled ina horizontal plane and in a direction opposite the direction of firstlateral movement. At a second preselected point 14, a second fold alongline or edge 15 is effected by forcing the article 4 downwardly in thedirection of arrows 16 along the line 15 which is longitudinal of thedirection of movement of the article indicated by the arrow 17. Thearticle is then carried downwardly and forwardly in a directionindicated by arrows 18 with the line or edge 15 foremost to a deliverypoint where the now twice folded sheet is delivered to a stack at apreselected point at the delivery or forward end 7.

Referring now to FlGv 1, there is shown a conveyor means 19 at the rearend 5. The conveyor means 19 is supported on the frame 2% which in turnis pivotacle about its forward end 21 which is suitably secured to beams3. This frame 23 may be adjustably secured at different angularpositions by suitable means which may comprise a conventional lockabletelescopic support 23, suitably pivotably secured at one end to a beam3, and at the other end to the lower portion of the frame 20 (notshown). The conveyor means 19 may be adjustable so that the rear end 2can be adjustably aligned with the de livery end of an ironer or someother suitable mechanism. The conveyor means (FIG. 3) comprises aplurality of ported for rotation in journals fixed to beams 3.

endless webs or belts supported for rotation with their upper surfacesadapted to move in the forward direction of arrow 8. These webs 25 aremounted on rolls 26 and 27 in turn respectively journaled in the frame21. The shaft on which roll 26 is mounted carries a sprocket 28 which isoperatively coupled to a sprocket Z) by chain 39 so that actuation ofsprocket 29 in .a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 will causemovement of the webs 25 in the direction indicated by arrow 8.

A conveyor means 31 is positioned in the upper portion of the machineand is adapted to successively receive articles 4 from the conveyormeans 19 and carry the articles successively in the forward direction ofarrow 8 (FIG. 4). The conveyor means 31 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3 and includes a plurality of parallel horizontally disposed endlesswebs or belts 34, arranged longitudinally of the machine and supportedby forward and rear rolls 35 and 36 respectively. Rolls 35 and 36 are inturn suitably sup- A support plate 37 is positioned intermediate theupper and lower portions 38 and 35 of the belts 34. This plate 37 isprovided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges 40 whichproject between and above the upper portions of webs 34. The plate 37provides support means for the upper portions 38 of the belts 34 and theridges 1 provide rail-like supports for articles 4- with minimumfrictional retarding as they are carried forward by the belts 34. Thelower portion 39 of the belts 34 are positioned below the support plate37 and pass over idler rolls 4-1 and 42 with the idler rolls suitablyjournaled and supported on beams 3. A longitudinally extendingrectangular opening 43 is formed preferably at the center of plate 37with the opening extending between a pair of adjacent belts 34 anddirectly over rolls 45 and 46 of a first folding means 47.

Positioned directly below the opening 43 and extending longitudinally ofthe belts 34 are first folding rolls 45 and 46. These rolls are suitablyjonrn-aled on beams 3 extending transverse thereto. These rolls areadjacent and parallel one another thereby defining a line of substantialtangency which is preferably symmetrically located with respect to theopening 43 and intermediate adjacent belts. These rolls 45 and 46 form aportion of a first folding means 47. In this arrangement, there are alsotwo sets of endless belts. One set is formed of parallel belts 48 andthe other set is formed of parallel belts 49. Belts 48 are supported onand extend about first folding roller 46 and a roll 50 which is suitablysupported in journals in turn fixed to the beams 3 below and laterallydisplaced from rolls 45. Associated with the other set of belts 49 areparallel rolls 51, 52 and 53, each of which is suitably supported forrotation in journals in turn fixed to beams 3 which form a part of theframe. Rolls 52 and 53 are positioned on opposite sides of the machineadjacent the side panels (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Idler roll 51 ispositioned parallel to rolls 52 and 53, with its axis above the planethrough which the axes of rolls 52 and 53 pass but below the axis ofroll 50. Belts 49 encircle rolls 45, 52 and 53. One portion 54 of thebelts 49 extend from roll 45 angularly downwardly and bear against idlerroll 51 with portion 54 having a facing section diverging from theadjacent portion 55 of belt 48 as illustrated. Portion 55 of belt 4 8comprises the upper portion of the belt between rolls 46 and 59 withthis portion 55 also inclined angularly downwardly. A second portion 56of belts 49 extends horizontally and transversely from one side of themachine to the other with this portion 56 extending under roll 51 andover roll 53. Positioned below portion 56 of roll 49 and above the lowerportion 57 of the belts 49 is a second support plate 58. This secondsupport plate 58 supports portions 56 of the belts 49 and is providedwith a plurality of ridges 59 which extend transversely to the length ofthe machine between portions 56 of belts 49 and project upwardly abovethe upper surface of these belts 56 in a manner similar to ridges 40 inrespect to belts 34. An arcuate guide plate 6% extends longitudinally ofand between rolls 49 and transverse of the machine.

50 and 51 with the concave portion of the arcuate plate 60 facing roll50 and adapted to engage articles being delivered from the belts 48 atroll 50 and redirect them onto portion 56 of belt 49 for movement in thedirection of arrow 17. The plate 60 may if desired have verticallyextending fingers projecting upwardly between portions 54 of belts 49 toassure engagement with articles 4 moving between portions 54 and 55.Also forming a part of the first folding means 47 is the air tube 32which extends longitudinally of the belt 34 and is positioned directlyabove the longitudinally extending opening 43. A plurality ofperforations in the tube 32 are directed downward in alignment with theline of tangency of rolls 45 and 46, and are so arranged that articles 4positioned between the air tubes 32 and opening 43 will, on passage ofair into the air tube 32, be blown downwardly between rolls 45 and 46along the longitudinally extending line or edge 11 of the article.

The second support plate 53 is provided with a rectangular opening 61extending parallel to and intermediate portions 56 of adjacent belts 49.A second folding means 62 is positioned directly below this opening 61for effecting a second fold in the once folded articles carried onportions 56 of belt 49.

The second folding means'62 includes a pair of parallel rolls 63 and 64which are positioned with their axes parallel to the direction ofmovement of portions 56 of belts The rolls 63 and 64 are journaled andsuitably supported on beams 3 for rotation toward one another indirections indicated by arrows 65. These rolls are positioned directlybelow the opening 61 with the rolls substantially tangent to one anotherand with the line of substantial tangency 71 preferably symmetrical withopening 61. An air tube having a line of perforations is positionedabove the opening 61 with the line of perforations directed downward andin alignment with the line of tangency 71 of rolls 63 and 64.

Positioned below rolls 63 and 64 is a lower conveyor means 72.. Thislower conveyor means comprises a plurality of endless belts or webs 73which are carried and driven by parallel rolls 74 and '75 (see FIG. 2).The rolls 74 and 75 are suitably journaled for rotation on their axis inthe frame 3 with the rolls 74 and 75 parallel to rolls 63 and 64 wherebybelts 73 are normal to the axes of rolls 63 and 64. Roll 74 ispositioned with its axis in a plane lower than the axis of roll 75. Roll75 is positioned rearwardly of roll 63 and roll 74 is positionedforwardly of roll 64. Articles delivered with the second fold effectedbetween rolls 63 and 64 drop onto the downwardly and forwardly movingupper surface of belts 73.

Articles moving from the forward end of belts 73-are delivered onto therear edge of platform 76 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Platform 76 isformed of two sections 77 and 78 respectively secured to shafts 79 and80 by a series of brackets 81. The shafts in turn are journaledlongitudinally of the machine in journals 32 in turn secured to thebeams 3. The platform sections 77 and "/8 are supported for pivotingrotation between the normal position illustrated in FIG. 5 and the openor dotted position illustrated at 85. The platforms are operativelycontrolled for this pivoting movement by a hydraulic air cylinder 87which is supported on the frame at one end by a pin 88 which permits thecylinder to rotate over a limited arc. The shaft 89 of the air cylinderprojects from the other end and is pivotally connected to a lever 90which in turn is secured at its other end to the shaft 91. The shaft 91extends transversely of the machine and is suitably supported injournals formed in mounts 92. The shaft 91 is adapted to be rotated ineither direction on actuation of the air cylinder 87. This shaft hassecured to it a pair of levers 95 and 96, which in turn are connected bythe links 98 and 99 to levers 101 and 102 respectively. Levers 101 and102 are in turn connected to the shafts 79 and 80. Rotation of the shaft91 causes levers 95 and 96 to rotate correspondingly. These levers 95and 96 in turn cause pivoting of levers 101 and 102 through the links 98and $9 and thereby control the opening and closing of the sections 77and 78 of the platform 76 along the center line 1%.

Articles 4- delivered from the end of the belts '73 of the lowerconveyor means onto the rear edge of the platform 76 are engaged andcarried forwardly by the conveyor means ltl l (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Thisconveyor means includes a plurality of longitudinally extending parallelbelts or webs 1 which encircle the parallel rolls res and 167. The lowersection Mid of the belts 1% lies parallel to and adjacent the platformwhen it is in its normal closed position. Therefore articles passingonto the platform '76 are carried forwardly by frictional engagement ofthe sections 1% of the belts 1635 to a preselected position at whichpoint the conveyor means w ll is momentarily stopped and the platformopened on line ill? from the position shown in solid to the positionshown in dotted outline, thereby permitting the twice folded article tofall downwardly into the stacking mechanism fl t (FIG. 5). The conveyormeans is momentarily stopped by a brake and clutch mechanism l'ltl (FIG.2). In this brake mechanism, an air cylinder 111 is suitably supportedon a beam 3 and is connected to a friction clutch 1T2 adapted to engageand stop rotation of roll about its shaft 113 momentarily. it has beenfound useful to momentarily stop the conveyor means lltld just prior toor as the platform '76 opens to assure a uniform stacking of articles onthe stacker below.

The stacker or stacking mechanism lid is best illustrated in FIG. 5.This stacker 114 includes a longitudinally extending chute 115preferably having side walls lid. The stacker is positioned with itsrear end directly below the platform 76 and is adapted to receivearticles falling downwardly when the sections '77 and 78 of the stackerare opened so that the articles will fall directly one on top of anotheruntil a pile of a selected number is accumulated. When preselectednumber of articles have been stacked in a pile, the pile is movedforwardly toward the end of the chute 115 where the pile may be removedby an operator. In this arrangement the chute H5 is provided with a pairof elongated openings 117 which extend from the rear end of the chutelid. A pair of fingers HS extend upwardly through these openings. Thesefingers llld are carried on a transverse shaft mi in turn supported ateither end by sliding carriages lid. The carriages are adapted to bemoved forwardly and rearwardly in channels 121 which extendlongitudinally of the chute 115 at either side. The shaft 12 of thehydraulic cylinder 12.3 is connected to the shaft 119 so that movementof the shaft 124 on actuation of the cylinder 123 will cause forward andrearward movement of the fingers 118 at selected intervals. Thehydraulic cylinder 1235 is in turn suitably supported on the frame 33.

The drive mechanism for the various components and rollers is bestillustrated in FIG. 2. in this arrangement a motor 125 suitably mountedon the frame rotates shaft 126 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 2. A shaft 12-? normal to shaft 126 is operatively engaged withshaft 126 for rotation therewith through the bevel gears An extension ofthe shaft 126 has a sprocket 12.9 mounted on it. This sprocket T29drives chain 1% which in turn is connected to a sprocket 13f mounted onshaft 53.

Shaft 127, suitably supported for rotation on the frame, has a sprocket134 mounted on it. Rotation of the shaft 127 and the sprocket 134 drivesthe endless chain 135 in a clockwise direction illustrated by the arrow13%. The chain 135 encircles sprockets 137, 135, 134;, 144i and 142 andengages sprockets 139 and 141. Sprockets 137 and are idler sprocketssuitably supported on the frame. Sprockets 13S and 139 are mountedrespectively on rolls 63 and 64 and the chain 135 passes between thesesprockets engaging sprocket 138 on the inside of the chain and sprocket139 on the outside of the chain. Sprocket 1.41 is secured to roll 1%while sprocket 142 is secured to roll 74. The chain 135 passes betweenthese sprockets 141 and lid-2 engaging sprocket 141 on the outside ofthe chain and sprocket 142 on the inside of the chain. Rotation of thechain in the direction of arrow 13o thereby causes rolls 63 and 64 tomove in the direction of arrow 65 (FIG. 3), belts '73 to move in aclockwise (FIG. 2) direction with the lower section litld movingforwardly. Also connected to the shaft supporting sprocket 142 is asecond sprocket 143 which engages the chain 144. This chain 144- in turnengages a double sprocket M6 suitably secured to the frame. SprocketF.4d engages chain 147 which extends upwardly and encircles sprocket 15%mounted on roll 35. This chain arrangement causes the roll 35 to rotatein a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, thereby moving the upperportion 38 of the belts 34 forwardly. Rotation of roll 53 through chain139 causes corresponding rotation of rolls 52 and 45 because of theirinterengagement with belts 49. Rolls as and 50 are rotated by chain 151which interengages and encircles sprockets 152 and 1153 mountedrespectively on rolls as and 5d. The outer side of the chain 151 engagessprocket 154 which is mounted on rolls d5 thereby causing belts 58 tomove in a direction opposite to belts 49.

A schematic arrangement of a suitable means for actuating the variouselements described is illustrated in FIG. 6. in this arrangement, air tothe air tube 32 and air tube 7d is supplied from air intake source 155through pipes with valves 157 and 153 controlling respectively theemission of the air blasts through tubes 32 and 7%. Valve 1:37 isactuated to permit an air blast through the tube 32 by means of asolenoid lid? in turn electrically controlled and actuated by amicroswitch 160. Valve is operatively controlled by solenoid 161 in turnactuated by microswitch 162. Microswitch is supported on longitudinalextending beam 166 in turn supported at its ends on cross braces 167 and168 (FIG. 1). Microswitch has its actuating finger extending downwardlyand adapted to successively engage the leading edge of articles 4 asthey are carried forwardly on the belts 34. The specific location of themicroswitch 169 may be longitudinally adjusted by sliding it lengthwiseon the beam using handle 169 which is connected to the microswitch.Microswitch 162 is suitably positioned above opening till (FIG. 3) withits actuating finger projecting downwardly and adapted to engage oncefolded articles passing over opening 61. Upon actuation microswitch 1&2is adapted to open valve 154; to cause air to pass through the tube '70blowing an article on the belts 4d downwardly between rollers 63 and 64.

A valve 1759 also controls air from the air intake source 155 andactuates cylinders fill, 123 and 37 which in turn respectively actuatebrake 112, stacker 1114, and platform 'Fo. Valve 171i is controlled bysolenoid 171 in turn actuated by the microswitch R72. Microswitch 172 ispositioned intermediate belts 1495 of the conveyor means ltld at theforward end and is adapted to be actuated by a forwardly moving articlel as it is passed between belts tee and platform 76. Actuation ofmicroswitch 172 causes the opening of valve in a selec tive sequence.Valve 17th is adapted to first actuate air cylinder Hill which causesbrake 112 to stop the rotation of roll Iltl momentarily. At the sametime or shortly thereafter, valve fill actuates air cylinder 87. Whenair cylinder 87 is actuated, the leverage system described in connectionwith FIG. 5 causes the platform 78 to open thereby permitting thearticle carried forwardly between the platform is and the belts 1495 todrop downwardly onto the chute 1115. When a preselected number ofarticles have piled up in a uniform stack on chute H5 just forward offingers 118, a suit able mechanism causes valve 17d or a secondary valvesystem to actuate air cylinder 173 which in turn causes fingers 118 tomove forward and towards the forward end of the chute 115. Any suitablecontrol mechanism and valve system may be used to periodically orcylically idler sprocket.

'2 actuate air cylinder 123 and may for example, include a steppingrelay and secondary solenoid adapted to actuate a valve which permitscyclical passage of air through valve 170 and into air cylinder 123.Such a general arrangement is illustrated schematically at 174.

While the foregoing describes the specific embodiment of this inventionother variations are contemplated. For

example, FIG. 7 illustrated a modification of certain elements of thepreferred embodiment of this invention. In the drawing of FIG. 7 likenumbers refer to like elements heretofore described and those portionsnot described are similar to the preferred embodiment.

In this modification the rolls 45 and 46 of the first folding means areencircled respectively by groups of endless belts 175 and 176. The groupof belts 175 also encircles roll 177 suitably supported for rotation inthe frame and lying with its axis parallel to roll 45. Group of belts176 encircles roll 173 which is supported in the frame for rotation withits axis below roll 46 and adjacent roll 177. Rolls 177 and 173 arepositioned just above group of endless belts 179 which encircle and arerotated by rolls 52 and 53. An arcuate guide 189 lies between rolls 177and 178 and is adapted to engage articles which are folded between rolls45 and 4 5 and which are carried downwardly between them by the facingportions of the belts 1'75 and 176, with the articles so carried beingdirected by the arcuate guide 1% onto the upper surface of belts 179.

The drive mechanism for the modification as shown in FIG. 7 includes anendless chain 181 which encircles sprockets 131, 152, 182 and 12Sprocket 132 is an Sprocket 129 is mounted on shaft 126 which is rotatedin a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7 by the motor.Sprocket 131 is secured to roll 53. Sprocket 152 is secured to roll 4-6.The outer side of the chain engages idler sprocket 183 and sprocket 153which is secured to roll 45. The chain passes between -sprockets 152 and153 to cause rotation of the rolls 45 and 46 in the direction indicatedby arrows 48.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet comprising,

a first conveyor means comprising a plurality of spaced endless parallelbelts supported on rolls at the forward and rear ends of said machineand providing a portion on which sheets may be moved in a longitudinalforward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate adjacent edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second rolls spaced apart andwith both of said second pair positioned below and lateral with respectto said first pair of rolls,

a third pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said second pair of rolls with said third pair of rolls spacedapart farther than said second pair of rolls and with both of said thirdpair below said second pair,

a first plurality of endless parallel belts encircling one of said firstpair and both of said third pair of rolls and bearing against the outerpart of one of said second pair of rolls thereby providing one portionof said belts lying normal and in a plane parallel to and below saidportion of the belts of said first conveyor means and a second portionextending angularly downwardly from said one of said first pair ofrolls,

a second plurality of endless parallel belts encircling the other ofsaid first pair and the other of said second pair of rolls and providinga portion thereof in facing relation with said second portion of said *5first plurality of belts and extending angularly downward whereby sheetsfolded by said first folding means will be carried angularly downwardlybetween said facing portions,

means at the lower part of said facing portions intermediate said secondpair of rolls for engaging and redirecting sheets carried angularlydownwardly onto said one portion of said first plurality of belts formovement in a direction transverse to said longitudinal forwarddirection,

and means for effecting a second fold in said sheets after each has beencarried onto said one portion of said first plurality of belts.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 having a support plate positionedparallel to and below said portion of said first conveyor means beltsand having an aperture formed therein intermediate a pair of said firstconveyor means belts and over said first folding means, with said platesupporting said portion of said conveyor means belts.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said first conveyormeans belts has a second portion opposite said first mentioned portionsand on the other side of said plate, and retaining means beneath saidsecond portion of said first conveyor means belts for retaining saidsecond portion close to the lower surface of said plate.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said retaining meanscomprises a pair of rolls with each parallel to and adjacent a differentone of said first conveyor means rolls and engaging and retaining thelower surface of said second portion in a plane higher than the commonplane tangential to the lowermost portions of both of said firstconveyor means rolls.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 2 having a second support platepositioned parallel to and below said one portion of said firstplurality of endless belts, said second support plate having an apertureformed therein intermediate a pair of said belts and over said means foreffecting a second fold.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first mentioned andsaid second support plates are provided with longitudinally extendingridges intermediate and projecting above said portion of said belts withwhich said plates are associated.

'7. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means at the lowerportion of said facing portions comprises an arcuate plate extendinglongitudinally of said second pair of rolls with the concave surface ofsaid plate facing said other of said second pair of rolls.

8. A machine for multiple folding a fiexible sheet comprising,

a first conveyor means comprising a plurality of spaced endless parallelbelts supported on rolls at the forward and rear ends of said machineand providing a portion on which sheets may be moved in a longitudinalforward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate adjacent edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second rolls spaced apart andwith both of said second pair positioned below and lateral with respectto said first pair of rolls,

a third pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said second pair of rolls with said third pair of rolls spacedapart farther than said second pair of rolls and with both of said thirdpair below said second pair,

endless belt means having belts encircling said first pair of parallelrolls and at least one of said second pair of rolls and providingportions of said belts facing each other and extending angularlydownwardly whereby sheets folded by said first folding means will becarried angularly downwardly between said facing portions,

additional belt means encircling said third pair of rolls and providinga portion of said belt means lying normal and in a plane parallel to andbelow said first conveyor means belts and movable in a direction normalthereto,

means intermediate said second pair of rolls at the lower part of saidfacing portion for engaging and redirecting sheets carried angularlydownwardly onto said portion of said additional belt means for movementin a direction transverse to said longitudinal forward direction and asecond folding means for effecting a second fold transverse to saidfirst fold in said sheet after it has been carried onto said additionalbelt means.

9. A machine as set forth in claim including a lower conveyor meanshaving portions positioned below said second folding means to receivesheets therefrom, with said belts of said lower conveyor means normal tosaid belts of said additional belt means.

It A machine as set forth in claim 9 for receiving and stackingsuccessively delivered sheets including,

a horizontally arranged platform having one end thereof adjacent to saidlower conveyor means to receive sheets delivered therefrom,

a delivery conveyor means having a plurality of endless belts carried onrolls with a downwardly facing por tion of said belts in facing relationwith said platform to carry sheets on said platform forwardly, and

means for opening said platform when said sheets reach a selectedposition whereby said sheets will successively drop downwardly.

11. A machine as set forth in claim It wherein:

said platform is formed of a pair of adjacent parallelly hinged sectionsadapted to be pivoted to and from a normally closed horizontal position,and means for stopping movement of said delivery conveyor means andopening said platform when a sheet is carried by said delivery conveyormeans to a selected position on said platform.

12. A. machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet comprising:

a first conveyor means having a plurality of endless parallel beltssupported on rolls and providing a portion on which sheets may be movedin a longitudinal forward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second rolls spaced fartherapart than and below said first pair of rolls,

a second plurality of endless parallel belts encircling one of saidfirst and one of said second pair of rolls and having a portion thereoflying in a plane extending angularly downwardly from said first foldingmeans,

a third plurality of endless parallel belts encircling the other rollsof said first and second pairs of rolls and having a portion thereoffacing said portion of said second plurality of endless belts with thelower parts of said facing portions diverging from each other, and

means extending between said diverging parts of said belts for engagingand redirecting sheets passing therebetween.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second plurality ofendless belts has a second portion below and angular to said firstmentioned portion.

l@ 14. A machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet comprising afirst conveyor means having a plurality of endless parallel beltssupported on rolls and providing a portion on which sheets may be movedin a longitudinal forward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second rolls spaced fartherapart and below said first pair of rolls,

a second plurality of endless parallel belts encircling one of saidfirst and one of said second pair of rolls and having a portion thereoflying in a plane extending angularly downwardly from said first foldingmeans,

a third plurality of endless parallel belts encircling the other of saidfirst and second pairs of rolls and having a first portion thereoffacing said portion of said second plurality of endless belts and asecond portion continuous with and below said first portion divergingand spaced from said second plurality of belts whereby flexible foldedsheets will be engaged on one side only by belts when at said secondportion.

15. A machine as set forth in claim 14 having means adjacent said firstand second portions of said third plurality of belts for engaging andredirecting moving sheets carried between said portion of said secondplurality of belts and said first portion of said third plurality ofbelts.

16. A machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet comprising:

a first conveyor means comprising a plurality of spaced endless parallelbelts supported on rolls at the forward and rear ends of said machineand providing a portion on which sheets may be moved in a longitudinalforward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate adjacent edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second rolls spaced apart andwith both of said second pair positioned below and lateral with respectto said first pair of rolls,

a third pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said second pair of rolls with said third pair of rolls spacedapart farther than said second pair of rolls and with both of said thirdpair below said second pair,

endless belt means having belts encircling said first pair of parallelrolls and at least one of said second pair of rolls and providingportions of said belts facing each other and extending angularlydownwardly whereby sheets folded by said first folding means will becarried angularly downwardly between said facing portions,

additional belt means encircling said third pairof rolls and providing aportion of said belt means lying normal and in a plane parallel to andbelow said first conveyor means belts and movable in a direction normalthereto, and

means intermediate said second pair of rolls adjacent the lower part ofsaid facing portion for engaging and redirecting sheets carriedangularly downwardly in a direction transverse to said longitudinalforward direction.

17. A machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet comprising:

a first conveyor means comprising a plurality of spaced endless parallelbelts supported on rolls at the forward and rear ends of said machineand providing a portion on which sheets may be moved in a longitudinalforward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate adjacent edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said first pair of rolls with said second pair of rollspositioned below and lateral with respect to said first pair of rolls,

a third pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel to theaxes of said second pair of rolls with said third pair of rolls spacedapart farther than said second pair of rolls and with both of said thirdpair below said second pair,

endless belt means having belts encircling said first pair of parallelrolls and at least one of said second pair of rolls and providingportions of said belts facing each other and extending angularlydownwardly whereby sheets folded by said first folding means will becarried angularly downwardly between said facing portions,

additional belt means encircling said third pair of rolls and providinga portion of said belt means lying normal and in a plane parallel to andbelow said first conveyor means belts and movable in a direction normalthereto,

means intermediate said second pair of rolls at the lower part of saidfacing portion for engaging and redirecting sheets carried angularlydownwardly onto said portion of said additional belt means for movementin a direction transverse to said longitudinal forward direction and asecond folding means for in said sheet after it has been carried ontosaid additional belt means.

18. A machine for multiple folding a flexible sheet 6 comprising:

a first conveyor means comprising a plurality of spaced endless parallelbelts supported on rolls at the forward and rear ends of said machineand providing a portion on which sheets may be moved in a longi- 10tudinal forward direction,

a first folding means including a first pair of parallel adjacent rollssupported for opposite rotation on axes parallel to said longitudinaldirection with said first pair of rolls positioned below andintermediate adjacent edges of two of said belts,

a second pair of rolls supported for rotation on axes parallel andlaterally below the axes of said first pair of rolls, and

a pair of endless belt means with each encircling one of each of saidpairs of rolls and having angularly downwardly extending portionsseparated from each other and extending in diverging planes, with saidplanes defining an area between said portions through which areas saidsheet is adapted to pass.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 25,009 7/61Buss 270--69 361,376 4/87 Scott 270-81 X 484,295 10/92 Carnes 2708l936,711 10/09 Goss 27069 2,858,128 10/58 Buss et a1. 270-69 2,881,0004/59 Kephart 270-68 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

1. A MACHINE FOR MULTIPLE FOLDING A FLEXIBLE SHEET COMPRISING, A FIRSTCONVYOR MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED ENDLESS PARALLEL BELTSSUPPORTED ON ROLLS AT THE FORWARD AND REAR ENDS OF SAID MACHINE ANDPROVIDING A PORTION ON WHICH SHEETS MAY BE MOVED IN A LONGITUDINALFORWARD DIRECTION, A FIRST FOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRSTT PAIR OFPARALLEL ADJACENT ROLLS SUPPORTED FOR OPPOSITE ROTATION ON AXES PARALLELTO SAID LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION WITH SAID FIRST PAIR ROLLS POSITIONEDBELOW AND INTERMEDIATE ADAJACENT EDGES OF TWO OF SAID BELTS, A SECONDPAIR OF ROLLS SUPPORTED FOR ROTATION ON AXES PARALLEL TO THE AXES OFSAID FIRST PAIR OF ROLLS WITH SAID SECOND ROLLS SPACED APART AND WITHBOTH OF SAID SECOND PAIR POSITIONED BELOW AND LATERAL WITH RESPECT TOSAID FIRST PAIR OF ROLLS, A THIRD PAIR OF ROLLS SUPPORTED FOR ROTATIONON AXES PARALLEL TO THE AXES OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF ROLLS WITH SAIDTHIRD PAIR OF ROLLS SPACED APART FARTHER THAN SAID SECOND PAIR OF ROLLSAND WITH BOTH OF SAID THIRD PAIR BELOW SAID SECOND PAIR, A FIRSTPLURALITY OF ENDLESS PARALLEL BELTS ENCIRCLING ONE OF SAID FIRST PAIRAND BOTH OF SAID THIRD PAIR OF ROLLS AND BEARING AGAINST THE OUTER PARTOF ONE OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF ROLLS THEREBY PROVIDING ONE PORTION OFSAID BELTS LYING NORMAL AND IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO AND BELOW SAIDPORTION OF THE BELTS OF SAID FIRST CONVEYOR MEANS AND A SECOND PORTIONEXTENDING ANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID ONE OF SAID FIRST PAIR OFROLLS, A SECOND PLURALITY OF ENDLESS PARALLEL BELTS ENCIRCLING THE OTHEROF SAID FIRST PAIR AND THE OTHER OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF ROLLS ANDPROVIDING A PORTION THEREOF IN FACING RELATION WITH SAID SECOND PORTIONOF SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF BELTS AND EXTENDING ANGULARLY DOWNWARDWHEREBY SHEETS FOLDED BY SAID FIRST FOLDING MEANS WILL BE CARRIEDANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY BETWEEN, SAID FACING PORTIONS, MEANS AT THE LOWERPART OF SAID FACING PORTIONS INTERMEDIATE SAID SECOND PAIR OF ROLLS FORENGAGING AND REDIRECTING SHEET CARRIED ANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY ONTO SAIDONE PORTION OF SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF BELTS FOR MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTIONTRANSVERSE TO SAID LONGITUDINAL FORWARD DIRECTION, AND MEANS FOREFFECTING A SECOND FOLD IN SAID SHEETS AFTER EACH HAS BEEN CARRIED ONTOSAID ONE PORTION OF SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF BELTS.